Russia Booted From FIFA and UEFA Soccer Events, Including World Cup

Russia had been set to play next month for a spot in the World Cup.

Meara Isenberg Writer

Meara covers streaming service news for CNET. She recently graduated from the University of Texas at Austin, where she wrote for her college newspaper, The Daily Texan, as well as for state and local magazines. When she's not writing, she likes to dote over her cat, sip black coffee and try out new horror movies.

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Meara Isenberg

Feb. 28, 2022 1:56 p.m. PT

Russian teams will be suspended from taking part in international soccer competitions until further notice, FIFA and UEFA said Monday. That means Russia won't be able to play its World Cup playoff semifinal match against Poland, which was set for March 24.

This story is part of War in Ukraine, CNET's coverage of events there and of the wider effects on the world.

"FIFA and UEFA have today decided together that all Russian teams, whether national representative teams or club teams, shall be suspended from participation in both FIFA and UEFA competitions until further notice," reads a joint statement from the international soccer governing body and its European counterpart.

"Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine," the statement continues. "Both presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people."

The news comes after UEFA said last week it was moving the 2022 Champions League final from Saint Petersburg to Paris. Earlier on Monday, the International Olympic Committee urged international sports federations to bar Russian athletes and officials from global sporting events.